Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

TEPCO, compensate! Take responsibility for Fukushima! Protest against TEPCO – 2 years after nuclear disaster

TEPCO, compensate! Don’t evade
responsibility! Many people protested the Tokyo Electric Power Company, the
operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, on March 11,
2013, the second anniversary of the earthquake and the nuclear disaster. They demanded
that TEPCO compensate for victims of the disaster, take responsibility for
workers at the plant exposed to radiation, clarify causes of the disaster, and not
restart the Kashiwazaki Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. NASUBI, a member of the Network
on Radiation-Exposed Labor, expressed his anger, saying, “A thorough cost reduction
by TEPCO that has continued since autumn in 2012 seriously affects
subcontractor workers at the Fukushima Plant with their safety neglected, and
their wages and workforce reduced. TEPCO is even taking advantage of
decontamination work that is led by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.
Surprisingly, the decontamination work in Tamura City, Fukushima Prefecture, is
subcontracted to Oze Corporation, a 100% subsidiary of TEPCO, which has
received kickbacks for hazard pay that is offered by the ministry for
decontamination workers. This is the nature of this company. We never forgive
it”. (M)